Israeli Ultra-Runner Dudu Dano Prepares for Antarctic Challenge
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Israeli ultra-marathoner Dudu Dano is training for a 250km race in Antarctica. He recently competed in a desert half-marathon as part of his preparation and will also participate in the World Bakkard Championship before heading to the Antarctic ice.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dudu Dano is training for a 250km race in Antarctica.
- He sees the Antarctic race as a personal challenge against the cold.
- Dano will also compete in the World Bakkard Championship in Israel.
- He runs with a flag honoring fallen soldiers.
- Dano is a decorated ultra-marathon runner and former Yamam commando.
Israeli ultra-marathon runner Dudu Dano is in rigorous training for the "Last Desert" race, a 250-kilometer event on the ice of Antarctica, scheduled for November. Dano, a leading figure in Israeli ultra-running, recently competed in the Mitzpe Ramon Desert Half Marathon, finishing fourth overall and first in his age group. However, this was merely a training exercise for him and his partner, Eliyahu Talaker, who finished third overall. The two continued running through the night and until sunrise, as part of Dano's intense preparation.
Dano, accustomed to extreme heat, including temperatures of 56 degrees Celsius during the Namib Desert crossing, views the Antarctic challenge as a personal battle against his greatest aversion: the cold. He stated, "First of all, not everyone goes there. I'm of the mindset that if something everyone has done, you can do too. If something hasn't been done, you do it. My biggest hatred is cold. I'm going to fight what's not good for me."
Prior to his Antarctic expedition, Dano will represent Israel in the World Bakkard Championship on October 17th in Emek Hefer. This grueling format involves runners completing a 6.7-kilometer lap every hour until only one remains. As a two-time consecutive Bakkard champion in Israel, Dano is expected to lead the Israeli team, though he plans to limit his participation to preserve his body for the Antarctica race.
Dano, a veteran of the Yamam counter-terrorism unit who continues to serve in reserve duty, draws inspiration from his fallen comrades. He runs with a special Israeli flag bearing the names of fallen soldiers, stating, "I run for my brothers, heroes of glory. My friends who were killed defended this homeland with their blood. They are with me everywhere. I will not stop, for them, in their memory, and I will continue to move. But I also run for life, not just for the dead. This flag will be raised in Antarctica with all strength, with joy and love."
He also finds motivation in inspiring younger runners, acknowledging the humbling yet fulfilling aspect of being a role model. "If someone takes something from you, if you gave someone strength, you won," he remarked.